An Historic Event when Liam Rosenior Overcomes Obstacles

"He is a quality tactician that knows football back to front, which is the most important thing.

"However, in my role as Chelsea's first African heritage player, I would be lying if I said this news fails to move me."

These were the words expressed by the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his groundbreaking debut for the Blues' first team as a substitute in April 1982.

This week, the club named Strasbourg manager Rosenior, aged 41, as their new head coach following the exit of manager Enzo Maresca.

The French club is within the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned ownership group that also controls the London club.

There have been a mere twelve of African or Caribbean heritage head coaches – excluding individuals holding temporary caretaker roles – in the Premier League since its inception 34 years ago.

"What really strikes me about Liam is that he grew up and developed his game locally, he knows the local fans," continued Canoville.

"Whenever youngsters see a figure like Rosenior managing their club, a person who looks like them, from a similar background, from a household that fights for what's right… it is powerful demonstrating the path is there.

"So yes, it is a huge step for Chelsea, for London, for all aspiring individual with big dreams.

"However, currently? Let's back Liam, give him what he needs, and allow him to get on with the job."

What Does the Numbers Indicate?

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit became the Blues' manager back in the nineties thereby becoming the top flight's first African heritage manager.

Twelve years later, in 2008, Paul Ince became the pioneering English black boss in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the only other current Premier League boss of colour.

The scarcity of ethnic minority managers across English football corresponds with a lack of diversity at executive level.

According to a BFP 2023 report, 43% of Premier League players come from African or Caribbean heritage.

However, analysis from the equality organization found only 3.2 percent of executive and leadership management teams across most Premier League clubs are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Regarding senior coaching level, based on data provided by eleven clubs, the figure is two percent.

For all coaching roles – encompassing head coaches – from those same 11 clubs, the statistic is just 5%.

"He's certainly made history by virtue of his appointment as a the Chelsea manager, and we hope to witness more such appointments," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"We know there is loads of talent present within black and underrepresented communities... aspiring coaches desire a chance to show their capabilities. It is imperative to continue to striving to break those obstacles down."

Additionally, the new appointee will become one of only four full-time English managers currently managing in the top flight – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – a number that lags behind Europe's remaining big five divisions in terms of homegrown managers.

16 out of twenty top-flight coaches in Serie A are Italian, 11 in La Liga in Spain, Twelve of the 18 are German while 10 in Ligue 1 are French.

The present Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure every aspiring British coaches with a youth development pedigree will be, in some way no matter who you support, supporting Liam.

"It is really motivating to young English coaches in the system to see someone get that job with that profile and everyone hopes he does really well."

'Let's not forget – he's there due to ability'

Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, played for clubs such as West London clubs, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, with his coaching stint culminating in a brief stint at then-League One side Brentford in 2006.

In 2019, he was awarded an MBE in that year's Honours List for services rendered to tackling discrimination in football and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he followed a path in management. He began writing a column for a national newspaper, and in one piece he addressed the under-representation among managers. He pointed out that race does not influence ability and said opportunities must be awarded on merit.

He also made a point he has often stated: that vast under-representation leads to a failure to understand regarding footballers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

During an interview with The Athletic FC, Rosenior highlighted how his star striker, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" and "passionate", noting that he could relate to the Netherlands international of Nigerian descent. Emegha is set to follow him in moving from Strasbourg to Chelsea in July.

In further newspaper articles, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" to hear an unnamed staff member make a discriminatory remark. He pledged support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces initiative and authored a public message to the former US President while he was in office, condemning his "blatant" prejudice.

Rosenior has since built his reputation in the dugout – first at Hull City, then Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney recently stating Rosenior was "as good a coach as I've ever worked with" after their time together with Derby.

Rosenior said goodbye at Strasbourg earlier this week before signing a long-term deal with the Blues.

The Blues had the top flight's first black manager with Gullit as well as the first black captain in Paul Elliott.

Elliott has since held several senior positions, among them the Football Association's diversity and inclusion board|